Medicinal plants as a natural and valuable resource, which play an important role in health, treatment and prevention of many diseases. These plants are widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic-sanitary and perfumery industries due to their many and varied properties. Due to population growth and increasing demand for medicinal plant products, the trade of this group of plants has become a booming global market. According to the statistics of the World Health Organization, the volume of global trade in medicinal plants and their products has reached more than 100 billion dollars in 2019, but the trade in medicinal plants needs to comply with certain quality and health standards, one of the most important of which is the proper packaging of medicinal plants. Is.
Packaging is one of the vital processes in the supply and supply chain of medicinal plant products, which preserves their quantity and quality during storage, transportation and distribution. Also, packaging plays an effective role in marketing and attracting customers for medicinal plant products. In this article, we are going to discuss the importance of packaging in the trade of medicinal plants and the factors affecting it.
Purposes and benefits of packaging medicinal plants
Packaging of medicinal plants can be considered as a challenge and an opportunity at the same time. The challenge is because it is the major weakness of Iran's medicinal plants export, and the opportunity is because by solving it, the profitability and competitiveness of these products can be increased.
The packaging of medicinal plants has several purposes and advantages, which we will mention below:
- Protection of medicinal plants against harmful environmental factors: The packaging of medicinal plants has several purposes and advantages, which we will mention below:
- Slowing down the rate of decline in the quality of active ingredients of medicinal plants: Medicinal plants contain complex chemical compounds that face physical, chemical and biological changes over time. These changes reduce the active and stable properties of medicinal plants and thus reduce their efficiency for further use. Proper packaging by choosing the right type, shape and method slows down these changes and preserves the active and stable properties of medicinal plants over time.
- Prevent moisture absorption of dried products: After drying, medicinal plants have the ability to absorb moisture from the air due to the presence of water-loving compounds in their structure. This humidity causes internal corruption of medicinal plants and reduces their effectiveness. Proper packaging prevents the absorption of moisture by medicinal plants by using materials that are permeable to moisture
- Reducing the risk of external and internal corruption and oxidation: Medicinal plants are susceptible to external and internal corruption and oxidation due to the presence of compounds sensitive to light, heat, air and pollution in their structure. External corruption means changing the color, smell, taste and shape of medicinal plants, which reduces their attractiveness and marketability. Internal corruption means changing the active and stable properties of medicinal plants, which reduces their efficiency and effectiveness. Oxidation means the breakdown of oxygen-sensitive compounds in medicinal plants, which causes the production of toxic and waste materials such as peroxide and free radicals can be Proper packaging using materials resistant to light, heat, air and pollution prevents internal and external spoilage and oxidation of medicinal plants.
- Providing useful and correct information about medicinal plants: Due to their high diversity, medicinal plants need accurate identification and proper information. Proper packaging, using appropriate labels, provides the consumer with useful and correct information about the name, composition, amount, usage, usage, production and expiration date, health license number, and standard mark. This information increases confidence, satisfaction and customer loyalty, and also prevents abuse, malnutrition and side effects caused by improper use of medicinal plants.
- Increasing the attractiveness and marketability of medicinal plants: Due to their physical characteristics, such as color, smell, taste and shape, medicinal plants have less attractive appearance than chemical drugs. Proper packaging by using appropriate colors, designs, logos and labels increases the attractiveness of medicinal plants and attracts the attention and interest of customers. Also, proper packaging increases the added value and price of medicinal plants, and as a result, increases the profitability of their business.
Factors affecting the packaging of medicinal plants
To carry out proper packaging of medicinal plants, you must pay attention to various factors that we will mention below:
Type of medicinal plant: The type of medicinal plant has a direct effect on the type, shape, size and material of the packaging. For example, dried petals, leaves and stems need to be packed with paper or plastic covered paper, while herbal extracts, oils, powders and tablets need to be packed with glass, plastic, metal and They have composite.
The method of drying medicinal plants: The method of drying the medicinal plant has an indirect effect on the type, shape, size and material of the packaging. The drying method determines how much moisture remains in the medicinal plant and how susceptible it is to spoilage. The drying method also determines how much the volume and weight of the medicinal plant is reduced and how much space and transportation costs it needs. For example, medicinal plants dried by natural method (sun) have higher humidity and are more sensitive to spoilage. This group of plants needs to be packed with materials that are permeable to moisture and air. While medicinal plants dried by industrial (mechanical) methods have less moisture and are more resistant to corruption. This group of plants needs to be packed with moisture and air resistant materials.
Place of production, storage, transportation and distribution of medicinal plants: The place of production, storage, transportation and distribution of the medicinal plant has a direct effect on the type, shape, size and material of the packaging. For example, medicinal plants that are produced in tropical and dry regions, need to be packed with materials resistant to heat and humidity. While medicinal plants that are produced in cold and humid regions, need to be packed with cold and mushroom resistant materials. Also, medicinal plants that are stored, transported and distributed for long periods of time and space, need to be packed with strong materials that are resistant to pressure and impact.
International and national laws and standards: International and national laws and standards play an important role in determining the type, shape, size and material of medicinal plant packaging. These laws and standards have been approved with the aim of maintaining public health, increasing the quality of products, preventing fraud and unfair competition, promoting the export and trade of medicinal plants. For example, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation (OECD), the Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) are among the international institutions that establish their rules and standards in They apply to the packaging of medicinal plants. Also, each country has its own rules and standards in this field according to its conditions, which must be followed.
Packaging is one of the key factors in the trade of medicinal plants that preserves their quantity and quality over time and plays an effective role in marketing and attracting customers for them. Proper packaging is done according to various factors such as the type of medicinal plant, drying method, place of production, storage, transportation and distribution, and international and national laws and standards. Proper packaging increases the added value, price, profitability and competitiveness of medicinal plant products
To see the types of packing containers of Tak Crystal company, go to the pages Metal packaging containers and Crystal packing containers Please refer.
